Sedentary women with overweight (BMI ≥25, ages 21–49) were randomized to Diet+Aerobic, Diet+Resistance, or Diet-only (800 kcal/day until BMI <25 kg/m²) to quantify changes in predicted 10-year MACE and T2D risk across weight loss, post-weight loss, and 1-year follow-up.
Mean BMI fell from 28.3 to 23.9 kg/m², then rebounded to 25.8 at 1 year. MACE and T2D risks improved in all groups post-weight loss (p<0.001), but both rebounded with weight regain. Only the Diet+Resistance group maintained a significant net T2D risk reduction at 1 year (p=0.003); Diet-only achieved greater MACE reduction than Diet+Resistance during the intervention (p=0.022). Higher follow-up exercise adherence was linked to less T2D risk rebound (p=0.024).
- All-female sample of sedentary women with overweight limits generalizability to men or other populations. - Predicted MACE and T2D risks are modeled estimates, not observed clinical events. - Weight regain and exercise adherence during follow-up were not experimentally controlled.
Weight loss alone cuts cardiovascular and diabetes risk, but gains erode quickly with weight regain. Adding resistance exercise to a weight loss program may help sustain T2D risk reduction — encourage patients to maintain resistance training after reaching their goal weight.
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